“I consider this in-state,” Franklin said while in Baltimore on Wednesday morning. Franklin was speaking at his latest stop on Penn State’s Coaches Caravan tour. “I consider New Jersey in-state. I know there are other schools around here, but you might as well shut them down.”

I wonder how Rutgers and Maryland feel about this. I will say this: It’s gonna be a blast to have a guy like Franklin in the Big Ten.

***

In case you have forgotten, the four-team playoff starts this season. And the criteria for picking teams is a hotly discussed subject. Michigan State A.D. Mark Hollis says strength of schedule will matter. And, that’s a good thing for fans who like to watch good regular-season games.

“We’re not supposed to contract for any more of the I-AAs (FCS teams) anymore,” Hollis told the Detroit Free Press. “The Big Ten has taken it to the extreme in basketball and football, and I think that’s good for TV contracts, I think it’s good for level of play and fans.”

Amen. And, thank you.

***

The Northwestern union movement could take a blow as a congressional hearing takes place today that could advance legislative hurdles that would curtail the cause.

I’ll leave you with this: Are some Iowa followers questioning Fran McCaffery’s plan? Recent misses on the recruiting trail coupled with the Hawkeyes’ collapse at the end of last season that saw them lose seven of their last eight are fueling the debate on how well McCaffery can recruit.

About Tom Dienhart

BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men’s basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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